Murray: End Gers recriminations

Rangers chairman Malcolm Murray has called for "vicious and gratuitous blood lust" to come to an end for the sake of Scottish football as a whole.

He made the plea as reports claimed plans are being put in place that would see the Ibrox club relegated from the Scottish Premier League to the Irn-Bru First Division with immediate effect.

Charles Green's Rangers newco is unlikely to gain enough support for entry to the top flight when the 12 SPL clubs meet on July 4 to vote on the issue. Murray said in a statement: "The vicious and gratuitous blood lust of recent times must end, not only for Rangers' sake but for Scottish football too."

On the issue of their league status, Murray - who urged fans to unite behind the new regime and renew season tickets - added: "The Executive Team are working tirelessly to resolve the issues with the SFA, SPL and SFL. We will update supporters as soon as possible and we understand a poll of supporters' opinions is about to be launched."

Six SPL clubs have already publicly stated they will oppose the Rangers bid at next week's vote. Rangers require an 8-4 majority in favour. As a result, Green could face the prospect of relaunching the club in the Third Division, although the less severe drop to the First Division has also been touted.

It has also been suggested there are plans for the SPL and SFL to merge into a new organisation in 12 months' time, with play-offs between the top two divisions being introduced in time for the coming season. The SFL have said in a statement they have not reached agreement with any other footballing body over newco Rangers.

SFL chief executive David Longmuir said: "The Scottish Football League, for the last number of days, has been involved in intensive discussions with the Scottish Premier League, the Scottish Football Association and other crucial stakeholders in our game, to try and address, in a positive way, the current critical issues affecting our game.

"The Scottish Football League will today (Thursday) send a briefing document to its member clubs - a logical and positive communication which will hopefully eliminate some of the understandable doubt, threats and insecurities that are apparent within the game at the moment.

"The consultation document will fully explain the short and long-term benefits of a number of scenarios which we will be considering at a full club meeting next week. The Scottish Football League is trying to address the question of whether we are in a position to accommodate a solution to the Rangers FC scenario.

"We are trying to achieve a solution which will be in the best interests of the Scottish Football League and the wider game."